Pursuing Sarah (Sarah Series Book 2)

by Julieann Dove

  Carter came up to me as I kicked at the rocks by the water’s edge. “You’re going to have to cool it with all your enthusiasm. You’re attracting a crowd from the other campers with all your crazy over here. I hear the game warden is on his way here now.”

  I sneered. “Really? I thought he was called to check out the Northern Lights. Oh right, no, that’s just your date’s choice of clothing.” She wore a neon shirt, headband, and a couple wristbands. “Does she always dress like an 80s teen idol, or did the idea of camping just make her want to ward off hunters? Like Randy? But I’m kind of liking the bright orange. It’s growing on me. Isn’t it the new black?”

  His head jerked back. “Touche. Maybe Randy’s mom jeans will keep the bears away on their own merit. I hear the female bear might have more fashion sense than he does.” Randy changed when he found out there was no cabin. He didn’t want his legs exposed to chiggers.

  I laughed. “Seriously, where did you find those two? A time capsule buried outside your house? An 80s gym in town? Was the Go-Go’s music playing so loud, it transfixed you to walk like a mummy until you found where the noise was coming from? Then you opened the door, pulled out the first two you could reach, and now we’re here with what’s-her-name and Randy.”

  He chuckled. “Her name is Kelly.”

  “Ah, right. Kelly.”

  “Guys,” shouted Liz. “It’s time to eat. Sven’s pulling off the first burgers.”

  I gave her a nod and walked back to the campsite. “I bet Sven plans on pulling off more than burgers tonight.”

  Carter smiled. “And that is why I didn’t let Liz set you up.”

  “Are you serious?” I stopped walking and looked at him. “You would rather see me with ‘mom jeans’ than a boulder body of Sven? ’Cause I’ve got to tell you, I could use a Sven about now.”

  He didn’t say anything. Just looked at me with nothing. No expression.

  “Carter? Why did you tell her not to fix me up?”

  “Because maybe I thought you deserved more than a dessert, Sarah. You deserve a four-course meal.”

  “And Randy is my four-course meal?”

  “Maybe.” He looked away. “Come on. We don’t want to keep Sven waiting. He might lose count of the burgers, and I’m not sure if I brought my calculator to help out the poor chap.”

  Dinner was eventful. Randy had a sneezing fit. Unfortunately, he forgot his allergy pills, and Kelly, Carter’s dessert, offered him one. She couldn’t produce a bottle for it, just found it in the bottom of her purse, but she swore it helped all her ailments. I almost grabbed for it, but remembered I had a child with only one parent. I’d survive this night with whatever Liz brought in the cooler. I think it was a rosé. I didn’t exactly need a wine glass. Just the bottle.

  “Well, I guess I’ll call it a night.” Randy drove his glasses up tighter to his face.

  “What? Aren’t we going to tell ghost stories and roast marshmallows?” Kelly looked like Rose when I tell her to get off the monkey bars at the park.

  “I get up early,” he replied.

  I gave Carter the eye. Like “four course, my butt.” This guy was an experiment, and I was the lucky observer. What made him agree to come, anyway? Carter probably told him there were dinosaur bones found up here.

  “Carter, do you mind if I sleep in your Jeep? I can’t sleep on the ground. There’s no telling what’s on the ground.” He stood and hiked up his pants. I’m sure his belly button was a good two inches beneath the waistband.

  I grabbed the bottle of wine from the cooler and drove the corkscrew in it. This night couldn’t get better.

  “Sure, man. There’s extra pillows in the back.”

  “Well, goodnight, everyone.”

  We yelled out to sleep well and he was on his way to the Jeep. I heard him sneeze a few times before he made it there. Liz was giggling and playfully pushing off Sven. She gave me the thumbs-up and they retired to her tent. It was just me and the weird couple until Carter told her he had something to show her in the tent. Then it was just me. The fire was crackling and the stars were bright. Just me and my wine and a stage of twinkles. I was surprisingly relaxed. Especially after half the bottle of wine. I began humming and driving a stick into the flames to see if it’d catch on fire.

  I became too tired to stay awake, so I went to my tent and opened the flap so I could fall asleep watching the glow of the fire. I squinted when I saw the silhouette of someone standing beside it. I poked my head from my tent.

  “Carter, is that you?”

  He turned to see me. “You still up?”

  “Yeah.”

  He walked over and knelt to enter my sanctuary.

  “So I guess Kelly’s bedtime is past?”

  “Seems she’s out.”

  I strained to hear what this noise was outside of my tent. “That would be her.”

  “She’s snoring?”

  “Yep. I think she took that pill she offered Randy. It appears it wasn’t allergy related.”

  I laughed. “Here, take a drink.” I offered him my wine bottle.

  At that moment, we heard Liz. She seemed to be having a good time with Sven. Carter and I both busted out laughing. Figures Liz would be the one to have the best time.

  “Funny, I was actually nervous about this weekend. Look at me now. I could’ve saved all the little mirror talks with myself and helped Rose pack all her really important stuffed animals.” That girl didn’t go anywhere without her animal entourage.

  “Nervous?”

  I took a drink from the bottle he passed me back. “Yeah, I had this crazy notion I might meet my Mr. Right on this trip.”

  “And Liz was going to bring him?” He seemed wary of the notion.

  “You’re right. If he was Mr. Right, she would bring him for herself.” I threw my useless phone on my sleeping bag. “I didn’t think my plan out, I see.”

  “Are you looking for Mr. Right? I thought you were kind of busy being the best school counselor and mom to Rose.”

  “Seems I need someone, Carter. Yes, it’s true.” I put up my hand in defense. “I thought I didn’t. I thought I’d shelter Rose from a past history of all my men mistakes and stay single, but the sad fact is I’m lonely. And I don’t want that for Rose. I witnessed my dad all my life. He was the loneliest person I knew. And all I wanted to do was to make him happy. But I couldn’t.”

  He looked at me. I handed him the bottle back, and he took a swig.

  “Just because you’ve got someone to share your life, it doesn’t mean you’re not lonely. I got pretty lonely with Paige toward the end. She was never there. Even when she was, everything I did seemed to annoy her.”

  “I don’t want to sound insensitive, Carter. But Paige was about as much your type as Kelly. And I think I like Kelly more for the part.”

  He reared back. “What? Why would you say that?”

  “I couldn’t stand Paige growing up. She was so fair-weathered. So fake. You’re too good for her.”

  He took another drink and let it sink in. “I’m having a hard time packing up the house. She left so much. Mom is threatening to come and burn it.”

  I laughed. “I love Jean.”

  “Yeah, well, she loves you, too. You both are a little sick.”

  “Now, now. We only want the best for you.”

  “This is a big step for me, Sarah. I feel like such a failure. I wanted my marriage to work. I wanted to somehow show my dad what it should look like when you loved someone. Like he should treat my mom.”

  “Yeah, well, I suppose we all want our marriages to work. Sometimes it’s beyond our control. Paige was an unfortunate accident. Don’t beat yourself up.”

  “If I was worth anything, she wouldn’t have left.”

  “She would’ve left anyway. She’s just that type. She sees something sparkly and takes off.” I rested back on my elbows. “She would take off after your date, for sure.”

  He roared. “She kind of hurt my eyes when we walked b
y the lake earlier. I think I heard a few fish jumping to the surface. Where do they even sell neon?”

  “Hunting stores? Places they sell uniforms to the people who work on the roads?”

  He laughed. “You’re terrible.”

  We must’ve talked for hours. About everything. I even told him about Sam. He knew some, but not the part where I never told him about Rose. He thought he was just a deadbeat dad who didn’t want any part of a daughter. I felt like a schmuck after I told him, though. He empathized with anyone not knowing they had a daughter like Rose, and it made me feel bad. Until I passed out. Then I didn’t feel anything.

  I remember the bright light. It was filtering in my tent. Then I heard Liz and felt her foot kick my leg. I didn’t know where I was momentarily. Until I looked to my left and saw Carter. I was somehow tucked underneath his arm. His breaths were even and steady. My hand moved up and down with each one. I began to pull away when he rolled his head around, waking up gradually.

  “What? Where am I?” He rubbed his eyes and focused on the sides of the tent. Then on me.

  I rose and looked at him. His body had been so warm next to mine. “I think you’re in my tent.”

  “What in the heck happened to you two? Kelly is looking for Carter, and Randy is scratching himself like a dog I used to own. Claims he has poison ivy.” She rolled her eyes and took a sip from her cup.

  “He contracted poison ivy from the Jeep?” I asked.

  Carter raised and rubbed his head. He seemed groggy still. “I can’t believe I slept. I haven’t slept a whole night through in months.”

  “Well, Sven is frying the bacon and eggs. Chop, chop.” Liz shook the tent and took off, but not before giving me a wily eye and lipping she’d talk to me later.

  About what, I didn’t know. Honestly. I adjusted my shirt and took a deep breath. I couldn’t believe we fell asleep and slept all night together.

  “I better go and check on Kelly.” He looked me in the eyes. Then there was this weird silence. I took a breath and didn’t know what to say.

  “Yeah, sure.”

  “Hey, I had fun.”

  “Yeah, I did, too.”

  “Well…” He crawled to the tent’s opening and turned around. “Well, see you out there. We don’t want to keep Sven waiting.”

  “No, we don’t want to do that.”

  And he was gone. I looked back to where he just laid. It’d been a long time since I shared the night with someone. Five years to be exact. And it was Sam. Suddenly my heart ached for someone. For Carter…

  “Hold on a second,” I said to Maggie. I pressed my phone between my ear and shoulder, and tried to pass this car that was weaving all over the road in front of me.

  I had just gone to the city for a few things, and I was on my way back. Rose was at a playdate. It worked out perfectly. She was a great fellow shopper; however, I took less time when she wasn’t along. Seeing as she loves to gab and touch everything in sight.

  “So how’s marriage counseling?”

  “Peachy. I get to hear Michael say out loud to a stranger everything he finds fault with me. You know, why I don’t look like Miss America when he opens the door at five o’clock, when clearly I’ve just spent a day chasing a child who thinks potty training is a suggestion and a fork is for twirling hair. And then berate me about why I don’t feel amorous when he tugs on me at night—the only point in the day when I can be alone. I mean, really. I don’t know if this chick even gets how Michael’s in the wrong. All she does is sit there and wear a snarky smile and ask how I feel. I’ll tell you how I feel…I feel like he’s a butthole, who gets to leave every day, go to a job, which by the way, isn’t rocket science or involves heavy manual labor, and then he expects to come home and expects me to be honky-dory and kiss and purr when he comes close. Not going to happen. Grrr…”

  “So, I’m detecting a bit of optimism. Like it’s helping to get these matters out in the open?” I cringed, wishing I never asked. I could feel the venom almost come through the wires.

  “Don’t even. You have no idea how I envy you at this moment—single and sane.”

  I sped up again. The little blue Honda seemed to be back on track, having taken off his turn signal. Wasn’t quite sure where he was going to turn, as we were on a stretch of road without signs of driveways or connecting roads. What was up with this nut? He’d gone off the road a few times already.

  “Hopefully you signed up for the economy-sized therapy package. I’m not sensing any real breakthrough any time soon.” My hand gripped tight to the steering wheel. Another car was approaching us from the opposite direction.

  And that’s the last thing I remembered.

  “Sarah?”

  I knew my eyes were closed. Was I still in bed? Had I woken up yet to go run errands? Did Rose get picked up from her playdate? Was school today? My head killed me, like boulders sitting on the crown of it, pressing my spine and tensing my shoulders until they were ready to snap. Then I felt restrained, even suffocated. My throat felt covered. I touched my neck and became alarmed to feel something weird. Something hard. I struggled to open my eyes. That even hurt.

  I looked left and right, barely seeing anything it was so fuzzy. Then I heard the beeps. Where was I? The light was blinding. I squinted.

  “Sarah?” I heard my name again. Then I felt someone touch my arm.

  “Honey, it’s okay. You’re in the hospital. They say you’re going to be okay.”

  My eyes shot open wide, but my jaw wouldn’t open to answer her. It was Maggie. She was holding my hand.

  “Shh…don’t try to talk. I was on the phone with you when I heard it.” I saw tears in her eyes. “I’ve never been through something like that before, Sarah.” She rubbed the tears on her cheek.

  I tried to talk. “What happened?” It felt like dry gravel was caught in my throat.

  “I’m not sure. I just drove here and waited.” She wiped her eyes.

  “Rose…where is she?”

  “She’s still at Beatrice’s house. Don’t worry, she doesn’t know anything. I called Bea and asked if I could pick her up later.”

  “Am I…am I okay?” Something on my arm began to squeeze it tight. I stared at the ceiling tiles and tried to make sense of what was going on. I now remembered that little stupid car in front of me weaving back and forth.

  “They’re coming to take you for x-rays. Just to make sure nothing is broken.”

  “Where’s Charlie?”

  “He’s home with Michael.”

  “My car…where is it?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll find out. There was a cop in here earlier, hoping to take your statement. I’ll ask him what happened to it.”

  “Crap. I can’t believe this happened.” I took a deep breath and felt my chest ache.

  “I called Carter since Liz is away. I’ll pick up Rose and take her home with me. After I get her something to eat, I’ll come back and take you home. Or whatever.” She held my hand.

  “Thanks, Maggie.”

  A tall guy wearing blue and a name badge came and pulled back the curtain. “I’m here to take her to x-ray.”

  “Sure. I was just leaving.”

  She kissed my forehead and waited until I was wheeled off before she left. When I got back, the room was empty. I stared at the celery-green walls, trying to remember what happened again. I vaguely remembered that Honda swerving in the oncoming lane, and then I tried to pump my brakes. I shut my eyes and blocked out the rest. As I do every time a squirrel or bunny stands in the middle of the road. I guess this was a little bigger than that. There was resistance, loud metal crashing, and then the airbag—the pressure against my chest, the smell of stink burning, and the burn on my hand. I touched it gently.

  “Sarah Keller. Where is Sarah? Sarah, where are you?”

  I heard my name being shouted outside of the curtained area they had me in, and I opened my eyes.

  “Sarah, where are you? This crazy lady won’t tell me, Sarah. Where are
you?” There was a break. “Yes, I’m her brother, in fact. I forgot. We haven’t exactly spoken in years. But she’ll know me. Honest.” It was getting closer.

  “Carter,” I croaked out. I tried to get louder. “Carter!”

  My curtain pushed back and I saw Carter. He ran to me. His face was pale except for the patch of rash taking over his cheeks. The clench of his jaw I remember from the time he socked Michael in the mouth. “Sarah.” He reached me and grabbed my hand.

  “I see you won over the staff.” The neck brace prohibited all function to move.

  He rolled his eyes. “They underestimate my ability to use my vocal cords as a PA.”

  I attempted to smile. Even my cheeks hurt.

  “Oh my gosh, Sarah.” He covered his mouth. “What happened? I told you to get out of that thug life. There’s no future in it.”

  I stared at him, trying not to roll my eyes too much. Every twitch brought about pain.

  “I know. But the leader said I had one more graffiti job before I could turn in my leather jacket.”

  He grinned. “Seriously, what gives? Maggie freaked me out. She couldn’t stop crying. I thought the poor girl found out she was having another one of Michael’s kids. That I could understand. This…” He pointed to me in bed. “This I would never guess. I’d hate to see the other guy.”

  “Turns out my Volkswagen isn’t as bad ass as I thought it was. The other car must’ve seen the daisy I keep on the dashboard and knew the cards were stacked against me. It sort of crushed it, and me.”

  He touched my forehead and winced.

  So did I. “Ouch.”

  “Sorry.” He shook his head, frowning.

  “So you were really freaked out?” Yes, minus all the thoughts of a tow truck carrying away my piece of metal I liked to call my only means of transportation, and the possibility of split vertebrae, I wondered whether this had any effect on Carter. Sick, I tell you. Sick.